Controlling means



Mar. 20, 1923. I 1,449,212.. 0. 1. BERRY.

coimoume mmws. FILED SEPT. 6, 1918.

1 12.33. sgz.

inventor: C i a'T-ence J. Berry,

H is JTtt o r'n e5 Patented Mar. 20, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE J. BERRY, 'OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CONTROLLING MEANS.

Application filed September To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE J. BERRY,

av citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controlling Means, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to controlling means for electric circuits and has for its object to provide a means for controlling electric circuits and the operation of electrical apparatus which is positive in its action, rugged in construction and which is in other particulars to be hereinafter described, an improvement over other means heretofore known to the art.

My invention consists in providing a means for controlling electric circuits and electrical apparatus in general, which is operative upon either direct or alternating current and adapted for control purposes from a distant point in a system of electrical distribution. My control means comprises an electro-responsive device having members operative in response to currents of predetermined values to control the operation of electrical apparatus or the opening and closing of an electric circuit and is also adapted to simultaneously .or selectively control a plurality of circuits or apparatus.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of .my invention will be delinitely indicated in the claims appended hereto, while the features of construction and mode of operation will be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which-shows the preferred embodiments of my invention and in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a control device embodying the features of my invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a modified form of my device, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2, and Figs. 4 and 5 show, diagrammatically, systems of distribution embodying the features of my invention.

In Fig. 1, I have shown my control device per se as of the electromagnetic-ally operated type comprising a solenoid consisting of a magnet frame 1 having mounted thereon a single energizing'or control winding 2. Op-

6, 1918. Serial No. 252,984.

eratively related to the electromagnet or, solenoid are two independent circuit controlling members or armatures which are adapted to be controlled by the variations in current in the winding 2, that is, when a current of a certain predetermined value is passed through the winding 2, one armature is actuated and when a current of a different predetermined value is passed through the winding, the other armature is actuated. In the preferred form, the two armatures 3 and 4 are shown as of the plunger type, concentrically disposed and slidably mounted within a central opening in the magnet frame 1 and separated by an insulating sleeve5. In the embodiment, as shown, arnlatures 3 and 4 are of different weights, the outer armature 3 being heavier than'the inner and con centrically disposed armature 4, whilethe inner armature 4 is of smaller cross-section but in the strongest part of the field flux of the solenoid. Both armatures or plungers 3 and ,4 carry at their lower ends, discs or contact making members 6 and 7 which cooperate with fixed contacts to control any auxiliary circuits desired. In the form shown in Fig. 1, each of the movable contact or bridging membersfi and 7 comprises two similar discs 8, 9 and 10,11respectively, all the discs except disc 11 being loosely mounted on their respective plungers and separated by springs 12 and 13 respectively which serve as bufiing means for the plungers or armatures to provide a resilient ac tion in the movement of the plungers and also to prevent chattering when the device is used upon alternating current systems.

Secured or mounted upon the lower end of the magnet frame 1 is a supporting structure 14 for the movable contact members 6 and 7 and upon which are mounted the fixed contacts cooperating therewith. The movable member 6 is movable between two pairs of fixed contacts mounted on opposite sides of the supporting structure 14. Contacts 15 and 16 are mounted above the movable contact 6 near the top of the supporting structure 14 and are adapted to be bridged by the disc 8 of the movable member 6 when the armature 3 is attracted or moved upward in response to energizing winding 2. Mounted below the movable member 6 is a second pair cit fixed contacts 17 and 18 which are normally bridged by disc 9 of the movable member 6 when the armature 3 is in its lower or unattracted position. Cooperating with the other movable member 7 are fixed contacts 19 and 20 mounted above the movable contact and bridged by disc 10 of member 7 when the member is moved upward in response to the attraction of its armature 1. The fixed contact members 17 and 19 are preferably connected together when the device is used to control the opening and closing of a switch.

Une application of my device for thecontrol of electrical devices or currents is shown in Fig. 4-; In this figure a central station 21 is shown having a supply main 22 to which, at varying distances along its length, are connected load or consumption circuits. For purposes or" illustration 1 have shown two lighting circuits 23 and 24 connected to the main 22 through the usual switches 25 and 26 and transformers 27 and 28 respectively.

I have shown operatively related to each of the switches 25 and 26, one o't my control devices 29 and 30 respectively. in the illustration shown, the energizing winding 2 of each control device is connected in a pilot wire circuit 31 which is grounded at one end thus necessitating no return conductor, but it is understood that my device is not limited to a pilot wire control. Each ot the switches 25 and 26 .are provided with closing coils 32 and 33 respectively and tripping coils 34 and 35 respectively which are controlled by their respective control devices 29 and 30. The armatures 3 and 1 of each control device are shown in their normal position.

' with discs 9 or their movable members 6 bridging their fixed contacts 17 and 18.

When it is desired to open a distant switch, for instance, switch 25, a current of predetermined value, which may be either direct or alternating, and ot an impulse or coi'itinuous character, is sent out from station 21 over conductor 31. Let us assume this current is 4 amperes. Device 29 is arranged, in response, for instance, to a current of 1. ainperes through its winding 2, to pick up or attract its inner or lighter armature 42, carrying disc 10 of its movable member 7 into engagement with fixed contacts 19 and 20. Whencontacts 19 and 20 are bridged, a circuit is completed from one conductor of circuit 23 along conductor 36 through contacts 18 and 17, bridged by disc 9 of member 6, through connection 37 contacts 19 and 20, bridged by disc 10 of member 7, along conductor 38, through trip coil 34-, to the other side of circuit Trip coil 34 is thereby energized from the power circuit and the switch 25 is thereupon tripped open. Similarly control device 30 nae-9,212

can be operated simultaneously with control device 29 to energize trip coil 35 and open switch 26 to disconnect feeder 2 If it is not desired to open both switches 25 and 26 simultaneously, device 30 can be arranged to attract its armature at on a predetermined value of current which ditli'ers from that required to attract armature 4 of device 29, for instance, 2 aniperes whereupon device 29 will not operate but device 30 will operate to open switch 26.

For closing switch 25, a current of a higher predetermined value is sent out over conductor 31., for instance, 6 amperes. Upon a current of 6 amperes through winding 2, device 29 is arranged to attract its heavier armature 3 and carry the disc 8 or" movable member 6 into engagement with fixed contacts 15 and 16. Disc 9 oif member (5 thereby breaks engagement with fixed contacts 17 and 18 and the circuit including the trip coil 34 is opened and another circuit completed from one side of the circuit 23, along conductor 36, through contacts 16 and 15, bridged by the disc 8 of member 6 and along conductor 39, through closing coil 32, to the other side of circuit 23. The closing coil 32 being thus energized, the switch 25 is closed and latched in closed position, as is well known in the art. While armature 3 is attracted, armature t is also attracted but the circuit through the trip coil 3 1 is opened at contacts 17 and 18. The deenergizing of winding 2 ol control device 29 causes both armatures 3 and 1 to fall to normal position. As beitore, control device 30 may be energized to close its switch 26 upon the passage of 6 amperes through its winding 2 or upon some higher or lower value de pending upon the sequence of closing switch 26. It is thus apparent that my control device consumes current taken from the power line, only during the time of operating the switch. Dependent upon the value or current required to operate a plurality of control devices for a plurality of circuits, such circuits can be opened or closed selectively or sin'iultaneously as desired.

In Fig. 5 is shown a system of distribution embodying my control device in which a pilot wire is not used. In this system main 40 is shown of an alternating current system and connected to the main through the midpoint of a reactance e1 across the main, is my control device which controls the closing and trip coils of a switch, not shown, for any circuit connected to main l0 in a manner similar to that described relative to Fig. 4. In this system, the control device operates by direct current from a central station which current is superimposed upon the working alternating current of the system in a manner well known in the art.

In Figs. 2 and o a modified form of my invention is shown comprising a device adapted to control a lamp circuit, such as an electric sign, illumination of a show window or the like. In this form of device, the movable contact member 7, which is controlled by the inner armature or plunger 4, 'is provided with a latching means for holding or retaining the contact plate 10 thereof in engagement with the cooperating fixed contacts, 19 and 20 to render the consumption of current in the winding 2 unnecessary while the contacts are engaged. This latching means consists of two latching members 42 and 43, best shown in 3, which are pivotally supported as, for instance, to the sides of the supporting structure 14 and biased to releasing position bv means of counterweight members 44 and 45 respectively. Each latching member is also provided with a portion, such as arm 46, for member 42 upon which normally rests the member 6 carried by the plunger or armature 3, the weight of which rotates the latching members about their pivots so that the arms 46 are normally in latching position.

When it is desired to turn on the lighting circuit, a current of predetermined value is passed through the energizing winding 2 which is sufiicient to attract the armature 4 moving the disc 10 of its contact member 7 into engagement with contacts 19 and 20. As the contact member 7 is moved upward, the disc 11 rides over the ends of latching members 42 and 43 and the member 7 is latched and mechanically held in circuit closing position independent of the energization of winding 2 so that the lighting circuit may be maintained closed without consuming current in the winding 2. Spring 13 between the discs 10 and 11 of member 7 is thereby held compressed. lVhen it is desired to open the lighting circuit, a current of a higher predetermined value is passed through winding 2, which raises the plunger 3 and its member 6, thus releasing arm 46 and at the same time more strongly attracting plunger 4 moving disc 11 of member 7 out of engagement with the latching members and increasing the compression of spring 13. The latching members 42 and 43 are now free and are moved to releasing position by their counterweights 44 and 45 respectively. Upon deenergization of winding 2, the compression of spring 13 quickly moves disc 11 past the end of the latching members and members 6 of armature 3 then strikes arms 46 and moves the latching members again into latching position.

In accordance'with the provisions of the Patent Statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the other means.

apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by lVhat I claimas newand desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A control device for electric circuits comprising an energizing winding, and two independently movable concentrically disposed plungers controlled by said winding in response to predetermined values of current therethrough.

2. A control device comprising an energizing winding, a plunger operated in response toa predetermined value of current in said winding, a second plunger concentrically disposed relatively to said first plunger and operated in response to a higher predetermined value of current in "said winding, and circuit controlling means selectively; controlled by said plungers.

3. A control device comprising an energizing winding, two concentrically disposed plungers movable in response to energization of said winding, the inner plunger being movable in response to a predetermined value of current in said winding and the outer plunger being movable in response to a higher predetermined value of current in said winding, and circuit controlling means controlled by the movement of said armatures.

4. A control device comprising an energizing winding, an armature movable therebyin response to predetermined values of current in said winding, means for holding said armature in its attracted position independently of said winding, a second armature movable in response to higher predetermined values of current and operative to release said holding means whereby upon deenergization of said winding both said armatures return to normal position.

5. A control device comprising an energizing winding, an armature controlled thereby in response to a predetermined value of current in said winding, a latching member adapted to hold said armature in its attracted position independently of said winding, a second armature normally holding said member in latching position and operative in response to higher predetermined values of current in said winding to release said latching member.

6. A control device comprising an energizing winding, a plurality of concentrically disposed plungers movable in response to the energization of said winding,.one of said plungers being movable in response to a predetermined value of current in said winding and another of said plungers being movable in response to agreater predetermined value of current in said winding, and circuit controlling means controlled by the movement of said plungers.

7. A control device comprising an enera plurality of armatures the attracted position Wherehy upon deenergization of said Winding both of said armatures return to the unattra-cted position. 10

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixthday of August, 1918.

CLARENCE J. BERRY. 

